The last three days have kept me busy from early morning till the wee hours as much as I wanted to get on my computer and share what was going on, I couldn’t keep my eyes open at the end of the day long enough to get anything posted.

The 2010 Sweetwater Kayak Symposium was a rousing success. With people coming together from all over the state and country to paddle and have a good time.

I let him sign my boat but he wouldn't let me sign his leg.

On Friday people started to arrive from all over the state some were taking classes that day while others simply came in a day early to get settled in. While the coaches and students went out on the water the rest of the staff and volunteers put on the finishing touches for symposium preparations. I came over to help out in whatever way I could be it filling in on a class, moving boats, or hanging banners. I explained to Russell that I was up for anything even washing dishes if that’s what needed to be done. Apparently he took that sentiment to heart when he found me and asked if I’d mind fixing the toilet in the store that picked this busy weekend to give him trouble. A quick run to Lowes for a new flush valve and a few good pulls with a plunger solved the problem. Afterward I helped out with a few more things then found a quiet corner to put the finishing touches on my slide show.

It isn't all kayaking

The Bananna Boat Bar next door to the shop was the selected venue for end of the day off the water festivities. We feasted on Lasagna and afterward fired up the projector to share some of our adventures. First up was Kirsten (wife of famous Nigel Foster) who shared her artist’s perspective of many of the exotic paddling destinations she and Nigel have paddled. Afterward I took the stage and told a few of the many stories and showed a bunch of the pictures from the trip so far. Being my first ever slide show I was worried that I’d bore the audience. I did run a bit longer than I’d planned but the show seemed to be well received. What was great for me to see several of the people I’d met and stayed with along the route in attendance at the slide show. It truly is a small community in the paddling world after all.

The weather was a challenge when things got started on Saturday morning with rain and wind pushing people into dry suits and whatever other gear they could find to stay dry and warm. I dodged the rain while working in a storage building trying to diagnose and fix a mystery leak in the rear hatch in a kayak. By the time lunch was laid out the skies parted and it turned into a beautiful sunny day. Having not been on the water for a few days I jumped at the chance to go out for a short jaunt on a stand up board. I’d only ever done standup in San Diego in relatively deep water. Here in the shallow mangrove channels there was a never ending array of fish and bottom features that you can’t see while seated in a kayak but can while standing on a board. It made a quick run through familiar terrain seem like a completely new experience. I also took advantage of a quiet moment to demo a kit built skin on frame kayak that was a fun boat to paddle.

My boat repairs on Saturday didn’t solve the problem so on Sunday I took the kayak in question out in the sun where I could take a closer look and I believe I found the source of the problem. While I worked on that boat I took advantage of the warm dry day and laid my Ikkuma out on the kayak stands to do some work on that boat as well. Over the last couple months of travel I’d begun to drag thin spots on the keel strip so I laid on an additional layer to further protect the hull from further damage. Later in the day as things started to wind down we began the process of wrapping things up and saying farewell to friends as they loaded their boats and headed home.

Hey there Jake!Sounds like a nice "relaxing" weekend. I really don't have much else to say. I just wanted to be the first to post a reply to one of your blogs!

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unknown

3/1/2010 12:02:38 am

you should be carful you could die on this dangerous trip

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Thom Underwood

3/1/2010 12:18:54 am

With your boat loaded on that Porsche you should now be able to finish your journey much faster.

p.s. I would strap it down before you hit the highway, however.

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Lyn Stachovak

3/1/2010 12:34:02 am

this "unknown" person is a real jerk isn't he/she???? I guess if you're going to do nothing but post garbage on a website it's best not to say who you are, but it sure is a sign of a total coward!

Loved the pictures of the symposium - send pictures of your tour through the Everglades when you get a chance too. Maybe you'll get to see some of those famous Florida alligators this time. Thought I'd leave an opening for that idiot "unknown" to have a field day with another one of those "DEEP THOUGHTS".

"Unknown" better watch out, he might get hassled by Jakes' new paddling "POSSE"! Jake the Gulfcoast has got your back, Brother!!!! and Yes, you could have signed my leg, if we would have found some white paint.

-Sean & Jeff from the symposium.

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Andy

3/1/2010 02:17:56 am

Lyn,

Actually, I would say the Porsche is more of a canary yellow while Jake's kayak is more of a banana yellow. (not sure what the joke is with the bananas but I'll try going with it ;)

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Tootie

3/1/2010 03:01:05 am

Jake, I was thinking along the line of Branden's posting. I sure hope we are wrong. Am glad you had a fun and relaxing weekend with your friends. Also that you got to do some paddling. At any rate, take care and please be careful.

Hey Jake - It was great spending some time with you at the symposium. I just posted some pics, including a few of you testing out the skin kayak. I had to zoom to get your "special stunt", but I got it! It's on Facebook at:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2056205&id=1400436173&ref=mf

Don McCumber

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unknown

3/1/2010 07:40:48 am

tyler you should keep your mouth shut and i know why you want me to go to that web site im not fallen for it i know that anything to do with webs.com tracks your ip and your proxxy im not dumb

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tyler

3/1/2010 08:03:31 am

iv been following this blog for a long time and im sick of unknown being a jerk with the comments so unknown if you dont have anything nice to say dont say anything at all and if i were you i would say sorry for everything you wrote. and by the way unkown i could trak your ip right now but im not case i dont invade peoples privicy unless i have to but do it again and you can be sure of me traking your ip

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Alice

3/1/2010 08:26:50 am

Hi Jake!Ate fish with Jenny, Lydia and Lois the other night-- got to see your mom and dad and Luke and Amy and Ty and Noah!! They are great nephews :) Ty was showing us how he could count-- dad must be a math teacher or something! Anyway, love reading your blog and hearing about your adventure. Never leave without thinking, "How cool!"Love, Cousin Alice

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unknown

3/1/2010 11:04:33 am

im sorry for sayen that kind of stuff and i was just tryen to have some fun it will nerver happen again i promis please forgive me and good luck on the rest of your trip i hope you have fun now i wont be commenting any thing bad any more

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unknown

3/1/2010 11:08:11 am

by the my name is Frank

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Tim Bradley

3/1/2010 11:53:32 am

Hi Jake, That pic of the yak on the Porsche Caymen is just awesome!

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Tim Bradley

3/1/2010 11:57:38 am

Actually, I think its spelled Cayman, sorry

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Aunt Patty

3/1/2010 09:37:21 pm

Some people have a pretty sick sense of humor. Jake, I was worried about you for a while, but you're obviously going to be fine. By the way, Frank, learn to spell.

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Rae Ann

3/2/2010 03:47:07 am

Hi Jake! It was great meeting and hanging out with you at the Sweetwater Symposium! Hope the rest of your journey is a fun, fabulous adventure in nice, warm weather!

Hey Frank, Why don 't you come down to Florida and meet The Paddling Posse!! I would LOVE to See YOU!! Hey Jake, Hope to meet up with you on the 13th of March. Keep Paddling! Hope you got to see those Manatees on Monday!!

-Sean

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Frank

3/2/2010 09:53:47 am

I cant i live in Rice lake wisconsin that is way to long of a drive. And i have a real crappy truck that gets about 12 miles to the gallen

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Frank

3/2/2010 09:59:08 am

and i cant spell right im not good at typing

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Aaron Stachovak

3/2/2010 10:39:03 am

Luke, road trip? :)

Hey, Jake it was great talking with you today- I hope your Everglade crew's experience, sparks a lifetime of stories for them to bring back home!

keep truckin

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Luke Stachovak

3/2/2010 11:09:22 am

Aaron,Not worth our time...

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Jake

3/2/2010 02:55:22 pm

I am certainly being exposed to all kinds on this trip.

Thank you everyone for your kind words and support. Remember, after 33 degree water, wing dams, big winds, barges, frozen boots, and being pepper sprayed... I am still going... (stronger than ever) thanks, in part, to so much support from amazing people like you.

Please don't let the comments of a few worry you, they're certainly not worrying me.

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Teresa B

3/3/2010 10:10:26 am

Way to go Jake! We're with you and we're praying for you! I like your attitude - keep on paddlin!